Wrench



" c. M. STRICKLER WRENCH Filed May 23. 1923 INVENTOR.

Patented Get. 14, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARY IVI. STRICKLER, 01E RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T AMERICAN WRENCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

WRENCH.

Application filed May 23,

To all whom it may concern 2 Be it known that I, CARY M. Srnionnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which the following is aspeciflcation,refer-- ence being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in wrenches and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character embodying a stationary jaw and a movable, the movable jaw having associated therewith means whereby the same may be quickly and readily adjusted with respect to the stationary jaw without rotating any part of the wrench.

Another object of the invent-ion is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the movable jaw is constantly urged away from the stationary jaw together with means operating upon pressure to move said movable jaw toward the stationary jaw whereby the desired adjustment of the wrench may be obtained in substantially an instantaneous manner.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved wrench whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein 1 Figure 1 is a view in plan of a wrench constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the wrench as herein disclosed;

Figure 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating certain details of construction as herein comprised;

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line H of Figure 3;

As disclosed in the accompanying draw- 1923. Serial No. 640,930.

ings, 1 denotes the shank of the wrench provided at its outer end portion with the fixed or stationary jaw 2. The opposite end portion of the shank 1 is continued by the handle member 3.

The opposed longitudinal edges of the shank 1 are angularly related and in convergence toward the jaw 2. The outer or rear edge wall of the shank 1 is provided with transversely disposed shallow teeth 4 for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to The movable jaw 5 constitutes a wedge shaped member substantially right triangular in form and which has sliding contact with the inner edge wall of the shank 1 with its apex disposed in a direction away from the stationary aw 2. The movement of the jaw 5 in a direction away from the jaw 2 is limited by contact with the outstanding stop 6 positioned at substantially the junction of the shank 1 with the handle 3.

A sleeve or collar 7 surrounds the shank 1 and the jaw 5 and is provided with an outer inclined wall 8 in close contact with the outer inclined face 9 of the aw 5 so that upon imposing pressure upon the sleeve 7 to force the same toward the jaw 2 the movable jaw will also be forced toward said jaw 2 whereby the desired adjustments may be effected of the jaws 2 and 5 in accordance with the work to be engaged therebetween.

The wall 10 of the collar or sleeve 7 opposed to the wall 8 has close contact with the toothed outer or rear edge wall a whereby the resultant contact serves to maintain the sleeve or collar 7 in its desired position yet offering no undue hindrance to the manual adjustment of said sleeve or collar 7.

The opposed edges of the shank 1 and the movable jaw 5 are provided with recesses or pockets 11 which house a leaf spring 12, the extremities of which are connected within said recesses or pockets 11 at adjacent ends thereof, the connection of the spring 12 with the jaw 5 being at all times inwardly of the connection of said spring 12 with the shank 1. By the use of this particular type of spring the jaw 5, in addition to being urged outwardly with respect to the jaw 2, is constantly urged toward the shank 1 and in close contact therewith whereby the jaw 5 is efiectively maintained in applied position and with the liability of rattling or chattering obviated. In other words this spring 12 serves to assure the jaw 5 being maintained at all times in close contact with the shank 1.

From the foregoing description it is thought to; be obvious that a Wrench constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by rea son of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it Will also be obvious that by invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish tobe understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim A wrench comprising a shank provided with a fixed jaw, a wedge shaped movable jaw associated with the shank, a sleeve embracing the jaw and shank, opposed faces of the shank and movable jaw being provided with pockets, and a leaf spring housed within the pockets, the extremities of said leaf spring being secured within said pockets at adjacent end portions of the pockets, the point of connection between the spring and movable aw being at all times inwardly of the point of connection between said spring and the shank, said spring being placed under tension upon movement of the second jaw in a direction away from the fixed jaw of the shank.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix: my signature.

CARY M. STRIGKLER 

